PROJECT: Modelling the implications of socio-economic development of mitigation actions by developing countries

Both developed and developing countries, in the long-term, will need to contribute to mitigation. However, developing countries face the key challenge of achieving both development and climate objectives. In considering mitigation actions, policy-makers need to consider the costs and benefits of embarking on a low carbon development path. In addition policy-makers will need to consider the socio-economic implications of any action, which is vital for planning but also for garnering political support.

CDKN supported a project led by the Energy Research Centre at the University of Cape Town, which developed cutting edge methodologies to link sectoral (e.g. energy, agriculture, land use) and economy-wide models in order to address issues critical to the development of climate compatible policy. These methodologies were developed through South-South collaboration that provided a developing country context and a robust base for processes in countries considering Mitigation Action Plans and Scenarios (MAPS). The premise was that there are a core of models and tools that can be shared by the different countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and South Africa) and that this model can be adjusted for the country contexts and sectors.

The research organisations were part of the MAPS programme and the information generated was made available to facilitate stakeholder processes in each country working on low carbon development paths. The project built appropriate modelling tools with each country team drawing on its existing modelling strengths and contributing to shared learning.

The project helped to build developing countries’ capacities to reconcile top-down and bottom-up modelling approaches which are critical to inform policy- a challenge which has been addressed globally. In addition, the project contributed to climate compatible development through the production of high quality information which enables decision-makers to plan a transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy and society. The consortium delivered in-country research and other products during the two-year period, but also left behind some capacity to address these questions beyond the time frame of the project.